Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-04-28

This is Jne of the very busiest months
OF the year for poultry breeders. The
season OF cleaning and getting ready for
business has passed, and if not already
done must be delayed now, as the lncom
ing crops of chicks demand immediate
and constant attention. The setting
hcns-fOr use of setting hens cannot be
gotten rid of entirely, even though there
are SO many good incubators on the mar
ket Just now-must be looked after, and
care be taken TO see that the eggs do not
get too dry, if the nests are raised too lar
above the floors of the poultry house. IL
is an old fashioned though very good
plan to give the eggs a good sprlnklIng
Of tepid water once or twice before hatch
lug, say few days before they are due
to hatcn. There is no danger OF injury
and every reason why it should be beue-
fetal. Ii sod has been placed in the
bottom OF the nesting box before the
nest has been made, considerable of the
needed moisture will be evolved by the
continued heat emanating from the body
of the setting hen. In the case of iucu-
bators and incubator Matched chicks much
attention is needed, and it must be con
slant, or no matter how good an iucuba
70 gulating 1t may be, II is just as we'll to
look after it Just little, and may be
found to pay to do so. And to the little
chicks, all who have had experience with
Machine Chicks know that it is not very
difficult to hatch the chicks, but the trou-
bic comes in after that time. The greatest
mortality by far occurs with Young chicks
between the time of Matching and until
the young birds put on tull dress of
feathers, after which time there Is not
much difficulty in rearing the young poul-
try; and artihclally Matched ones nave
not the same chances of getting through
ms have those Matched under and cared
for by the mother hen. The breeders
are designed 10 take the place of the hen
which they,do very fairly, and, perhaps,
If q strict account was kept with the poul-
try handled in each way. from the time
the eggs were put TO hatch until the
chick, were half grown, there would be,
no doubt, but little difference in the re-
suits.
Very often March laid eggs make in
different matches, and the same may be
said OF eggs laid early this month when
the weather has generally ruled inclement
and cold, ana the breeding poultry has
not been well housed or cared for. The
remedy for this naturally suggests itself
to any thoughtful breeder. The same re-
suits may come from having an impOtent
cock or cockerei, or in having him with
too many hens or pullets, thus too great
ly dividing his attentions and strength.
A constitutional want of yigOr Is equally
bad and must be guarded against.
Where the mother hens and their broods
are kept out on the lawn, when the chicks
are very young they must be protected
from becoming wet or drowned by the
sudden and often heavy showers which
are in season throughout this month. 1t
Is well to have canvass or light board
covers handy, SO they can be used over
the runs and coops at a moments notice.
Movable coops will be found more de-
sirable and will raise larger percentage
of strong healthy chicks than will sta
tlOnary ones, where the hen and chicks
mast tramp over and foul the same piece
time and again, instead Of having fresh
soil and fresh and tender grass whenever
they need it.
As cats are foud of young chicks it Is
as well to watch ont for them, aud while
rats claim a larger share of the lost
and missing little chicks, they are fire.
quently blamed for the sly and stealthy
cats. Watch them closely, and if yoE see
them on q still hunt" treat them to a
dose of shot without questioning who
the cat belong, TO find out Gfisrranis, II
necessary. Poultry Bulletin.